The Hamptons are a landmark historical destination. Southampton was actually founded in 1641 and great history can be found within the town’s old homes and historical sites. Keeping a pristine home is the Hamptons way, whether you love antiques, contemporary art, or a beach cottage feel…there is one constant in every haute Hamptons manse~  beautiful, indulgent, fragrant candles!

Looking for a candle with its own historical pedigree?

Cire Trudon Candles are considered the oldest and most respected wax manufacturer still in business. Starting in France, Claude Trudon came up with a way to manufacturer wax to make candles that are free of any harmful substances, and are finished beautifully in a green glass vessel that is made in Vinci, Italy.

Cire Trudon, began a small, family-run business and went on to supply not only the country’s most glorious cathedrals but also the royal court of France, until the end of the monarchy. Napoleon’s wax producer during the Empire period, Cire Trudon never stopped innovating or prospering.

The 18 perfumed candles in the collection today are an invitation to experience the height of luxury — past and present. All Cire Trudon candles are free of any harmful substances and are made from pure vegetable wax poured into handcrafted green glass vessels, made in Italy.

Cire Trudon now has a collection of 18 different scents inspired by the amazing story below:

In 1643, a salesman named Claude Trudon arrives in Paris. Through marriage he becomes the owner of a shop on the rue Saint-Honoré. Alongside groceries, the store also provides its customers with wax candles for domestic use [as well as supplying church candles to the neighboring Saint Roch parish].

The candles are made on the premises, with Claude Trudon developing and building on a specific manufacturing process. On the eve of the reign of Louis XIV, Claude Trudon had already established his business as the first small family owned manufacturer. Jacques Trudon, his son takes over, becoming grocer and wax producer and joins the Court of Versailles in 1687 as apothecary and distiller to Queen Marie-Thérèse.

In 1737, Hierosme Trudon [the heir to the family business] purchases one of the most famous wax producing factories of the day [belonging to Lord Pean de Saint Gilles]. Lord Pean de Saint Gilles was at the time the official wax provider to the King.

Drawing from the family expertise, Hierosme devotes his skills to the development of his vast new factory. Skillful and very demanding, he produces a wax of very high quality, collecting wax from the best hives of the kingdom trading directly with the producers.

At the time, wax was a valuable commodity and: carefully collected under close scrutiny from the hive. The wax was then bleached through a series of pure water baths that wash off all the impurities. Dried in the open air the wax was then further whitened by the sun.

The factory also imported the finest cotton to manufacture wicks that ensured clean and regular: combustion. The candles became the utmost luxury and as the century developed became the very best that money could buy.

Maison de Cire Trudon became the official provider of the Court of Louis XIV, as well as the greatest cathedrals and churches across France. At the height of its fame Cire Trudon employed over one hundred people working in a magnificent building in the city of Anthony – now registered in the French inventory of historical monuments. Cire Trudon had become the biggest and most beautiful wax-producing factory in the French Kingdom!

The Cire Trudon Bust Candle; Alexandre $112 and Louise $112; available at Ruby Beets in Sag Harbor.

At around this time Trudon’s Latin motto and its emblem were engraved on a stone plaque of the factory building: a depiction of hives and bees bordered by the saying: Deo Regique Laborant – “They work for God and for the King”.

Such a level of excellence was attained that it earned Charles Trudon the appointment by Louis XIV as Earl Trudon des Ormes. Cire Trudon continued to provide the Court of Versailles up until the very last moments of the French monarchy. During their captivity, both Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette continued to order candles from the royal wax manufacturer! To this day, Cire Trudon continues to provide candles for many churches, like Saint-Roch church in Paris, which has been burning their candles since 1643.

Maison Trudon still keeps records of old recipes and the old tools of wax whitening: roman of wrought iron, XVIIth century’s pans…the moulds used to form candles and bearing the royal emblems one can still read the following indications: “Cierge paschal pour la Chapelle du Roi à Versailles, Bougies de nuit pour le Roi…”

Scents At A Glance:

Abd El Kader: A wind of freedom from the Mascara coast that brings the green scents of fresh spearmint with the perfume of tea and tobacco.

Balmoral: After the rain rises the scent of wet ferns and misty meadows.

Carmelite: The perfume of old, mossy stonewalls of church convents

Chandernagor: The fragrance of an ancient Chinese balm, spices, herbs, and camphor from an Indian harbor

Dada: A touch of tea and vetiver with crumpled mint leaves and eucalyptus

Empire: The scent of burning pine, sage and hay after a Napoleonic battle

Ernesto: In revolutionary Havana, overtones of leather and tobacco

L’Admirable: Fresh cologne with ruffled citrus fruits and bitter orange

La Marquise: The cheerful and powdered air of a delicious boudoir: verbena and lemon stimulate the sensuality of white flowers and rose

Manon: A light, clean scent of fresh laundry with lavender and orange

Odalisque: Orange blossom, enveloped in citrus and wood bark, weaves an Orientalist painting

Pondichery: The exotic sweetness of an Indian Flower Market with the scent of ginger, vetiver, patchouli and musk

Prolétaire: A morning in bed, the fresh green scent of Lily of the Valley

Solis Rex: The fragrance of Chateau de Versailles’s Hall of Mirrors and woodworks

Spirtius Sancti: A holy perfume of altar candles and amber incense

Trianon: The country life dreams of Marie Antoinette: hyacinth, roses, white flowers and musk

Mademoiselle de la Valliere: An intoxicating love between Mademoiselle de la Valliere and Louis the XIV is represented by sensual tuberose

Nazareth [in red glass]: Under the unique star, the red fire of clove, cinnamon and orange dances in the silent, sacred night

*Available at MONC XIII, 40 Madison Street, Sag Harbor; 631-808-3333, Barneys.com,  or go www.ciretrudon.com for more information.